The medial heel skive technique. Improving pronation control in foot orthoses

Abstract

A new method of foot orthosis modification that enhances the pronation controlling ability of foot orthoses is presented. The medial heel skive technique involves selectively removing small amounts of the medial portion of the plantar heel of the positive cast of the foot to create a unique varus wedging effect within the heel cup of the foot orthosis. The resulting increase in supination moment across the subtalar joint axis of the foot clinically produces significantly improved pronation control on pediatric flexible flat feet, posterior tibial dysfunction, and other types of excessively pronated feet.